September, 2020
Vanderbilt wearable exosuit that lessens back muscle fatigue could redesign the future of work
Sep. 30, 2020—Vanderbilt University engineers have determined that their back-assist exosuit, a clothing-like device that supports human movement and posture, can reduce fatigue by an average of 29–47 percent in lower back muscles. The exosuit’s functionality presents a promising new development for individuals who work in physically demanding fields and are at risk for back pain, including...
ASCE chapter’s Ashley Smith receives inaugural Richard H. Nettleton Outstanding Practitioner Advisor Award
Sep. 23, 2020—The practitioner advisor to the School of Engineering’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers is the recipient of the inaugural Richard H. Nettleton Outstanding Practitioner Advisor Award. Ashley T. Smith is the first recipient of the Nettleton award for outstanding advisors throughout ASCE nationally and internationally. The award was renamed in 2019 to...
Vanderbilt computer scientists awarded NSF grant to restructure research’s road to the public
Sep. 22, 2020—Vanderbilt researchers have been awarded a National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator 2020 Cohort Phase 1 grant to create a standardized platform that will streamline the development, testing and dissemination of technology that can improve human health. The nine-month project, “Scalable, Traceable AI for Imaging Translation: Innovation to Implementation for Accelerated Impact (STRAIT I3),” looks specifically...
Vanderbilt leads project to study applications of new Microsoft biothreat monitoring tech
Sep. 22, 2020—NSF Convergence grant involves data from global sensor network to predict pathogen outbreaks Vanderbilt engineers are leading the academic component of a massive Microsoft project that combines robotics, genomics, big data collection—and mosquitos—to monitor the environment and detect potential pandemics and other threats before they cause widespread outbreaks. Microsoft announced today expansion of its PREMONITION program...
First-year engineering student experiences campus life from 11 time zones away
Sep. 21, 2020—When first-year engineering student Riddhi Singhania starts her day at Vanderbilt, many of her peers are turning in for the night. And when she’s taking part in an event for Sutherland House on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons or practicing with the Vanderbilt Lakshya dance troupe, other students are still fast asleep. That’s because Singhania...
Dubey receives $3.9M in grants to redesign regional transit system using AI, community engagement
Sep. 18, 2020—A $2.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation and a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will provide funding for Vanderbilt researcher Abhishek Dubey, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, to reimagine regional transit systems using cutting-edge data science techniques through a group of projects called Smart Transit. Abhishek...
Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold creates new enzymes by following nature’s lessons
Sep. 17, 2020—Mixing chemistry, biology and engineering, Frances Arnold tweaks enzymes found in nature to perform new tricks by altering their DNA. Arnold, a Caltech chemical engineer with a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, scads more awards and honors, and research citations through the roof, delivered a rousing virtual lecture to some 700 listeners—almost twice. “You missed a...
NSF grant to Baroud, scientists to examine the future of international shipping in the Arctic Ocean
Sep. 17, 2020—As the Arctic Ocean becomes less icy as a result of a warming climate, it could prove to be a viable—and more convenient—shipping route for global logistics companies. To determine the feasibility of navigating the challenging Arctic environment, Hiba Baroud, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Ralf Bennartz, professor of earth and environmental...